What do you mean when you say the Church “does not belong” in the Tribulation Period? (2) Daniel 9:24-27

To begin with, the Bible refers to this seven year time as the time of Jacob’s trouble (Jer. 30:7) and as a week of years (7 years) following 69 years (i.e. Daniel’s 70^th week).  Both of these terms are Old Testament and are tied to Israel.  Jacob is, of course, a reference to Israel.  And Daniel is a prophet of Israel.  Jesus also referred to this time in Matt. 24, as first the beginning of sorrows (v8) and then as a time of great tribulation (v21).  He spoke these words before the cross, still in the time when God was dealing with Israel and before the end of the 69^th week when Messiah shall be cut off but not for Himself.  

Furthermore, Daniel 9 says the entirety of the 70 weeks (490 years, including the 70^th week, the tribulation as we call it) are determined for your people and for your holy city (9:24).  The tribulation is about Israel and Jerusalem.  It is the time when God’s six purposes in Dan. 9:24 are accomplished.  It is when all Israel will be saved (Rom. 11:26-27; Isa. 59:20; 27:9; 45:17; Zech. 2:11; 13:8 and so many more passages).  We are not told anywhere that this time accomplishes some purpose of God for the Church.  It is for Israel.

But now you might ask, “Can’t the Church still be there?  Couldn’t the Church be used of God to bring about Israel’s salvation?”  That seems reasonable.  But it isn’t.  Let me ask you to consider some things.

·        Why is the Church only referred to in Revelation 4-19 (the chapters that deal with Daniel’s 70^th Week) as being in heaven?  Many see the white-robed 24 elders as representative of the Church (Rev. 4:4).  They are in heaven.  The martyred souls under the altar who cry out how long O Lord are given white robes, meaning they have been judged at Christ’s judgment seat (Rev. 6:9-11).  They are the Church, and they are in heaven.  The great multitude of the nations in Rev. 7:9-17 are not the Church; they are simply said to be the ones who come out of the great tribulation having been washed in the blood of the Lamb.  They are the ones on the earth.  They are the rest of (Israel’s) offspring Satan goes after when God will not let him near Israel (Rev. 12:17).

·        What is the relationship of Israel and the Church today?  The answer: Believing Jews are IN the Church, part of the Body of Christ.  They are the remnant of believing Jews (Rom. 11:1-10) but they are not the nation and have no national blessings guaranteed to them by God.  Messianic Christians (as they are often called today) are not heirs to the land of Israel.  They are part of the Body of Christ along with every believer from every nation.  But in the 70^th Week of Daniel God will save Israel, the nation.  Zechariah 13:8 indicates that 2/3 of the nation will be destroyed in the time of trouble, but 1/3 will emerge through the fire and will become God’s holy nation.

We will say more to explain the distinction between Israel and the Church.